Game guide · BDPSFJS
Water Jug Puzzle: from controls to your first round
Read the position before choosing your next action. Measure the target number of litres using two unmarked jugs and only filling, emptying and pouring. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. Choose one of six capacity-and-target puzzles. Both jugs begin empty. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Six verified solvable capacity puzzles, with undo and move count. These are six levels of one game, not six separate games.
A small practice goal
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. A pour stops when the source is empty or the destination is full. It cannot stop at an arbitrary amount. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
What you are aiming for
Read the position before choosing your next action. Measure the target number of litres using two unmarked jugs and only filling, emptying and pouring. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Step by step
- Choose one of six capacity-and-target puzzles. Both jugs begin empty.
- Fill a jug to its capacity, empty it completely, or pour from one jug into the other.
- A pour stops when the source is empty or the destination is full. It cannot stop at an arbitrary amount.
- Reach the target quantity in either jug. Undo lets you try another route.
Getting comfortable with the controls
Check the rule below as you play. Use Fill A, Fill B, Empty A, Empty B, Pour A → B and Pour B → A. The display shows current and maximum litres. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Put the rules into context
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. With 3- and 5-litre jugs, fill the 5-litre jug and pour into the 3-litre jug. The 5-litre jug now contains 2 litres. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Where a round can go wrong
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. You cannot measure a partial fill directly. Only the allowed actions can create a quantity. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A few questions answered
For this game, what is the aim of Water Jug Puzzle?
Measure the target number of litres using two unmarked jugs and only filling, emptying and pouring. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Use Fill A, Fill B, Empty A, Empty B, Pour A → B and Pour B → A. The display shows current and maximum litres. No download or player account is required.
Can you show an example?
With 3- and 5-litre jugs, fill the 5-litre jug and pour into the 3-litre jug. The 5-litre jug now contains 2 litres. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot measure a partial fill directly. Only the allowed actions can create a quantity. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, what rules and limits are used here?
Six verified solvable capacity puzzles, with undo and move count. These are six levels of one game, not six separate games. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, where must the target volume end up?
In either jug. The other jug may contain any legal amount. No download or player account is required.
Can I stop a pour halfway?
No. The source must empty or the destination must fill. The instructions above use these same rules.
Why is an action disabled?
It would not change the current jug contents, such as filling a full jug. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, how many puzzles are included?
Six capacity-and-target combinations are selectable on the board. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.